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Arroyo named Reds' Clemente Award nominee

Arroyo named Reds' Clemente Award nominee

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By Jeremy Warnemuende
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MLB.com |

Bronson Arroyo has done plenty on the mound to earn the adoration of Reds fans during his time as a starting pitcher in Cincinnati. Now he has a chance to be recognized nationally for his work outside of the game, as Arroyo was announced as one of 30 nominees for the Roberto Clemente Award on Monday.

Handed out beginning in 1971 as the Commissioner's Award, it was changed to the Roberto Clemente Award in 1973 after the Hall of Fame outfielder died in a plane crash while on his way to help to deliver supplies in the wake of an earthquake in Nicaragua. In honor of the man it was named after, the award celebrates players who represent the game of baseball through sportsmanship and community service, along with excelling on the field.

Arroyo was announced as the Reds' nominee for the award -- joining one player from each of MLB's 30 teams -- one day before Roberto Clemente Day, which was instituted in 2002 as an opportunity to remember Clemente and celebrate his philanthropical efforts.

Throughout his eight seasons in Cincinnati, Arroyo has been heavily involved with the Reds Community Fund in various ways. An accomplished guitar player, one of Arroyo's contributions has been donating autographed copies of his CD, "Covering the Bases," to raise money for the fund. Through the community fund, he's also been involved in Rotary luncheons, United Way rallies and other individual appearances.

Arroyo has also worked with the Special Operations Warrior Foundation and hosted charity concerts and participated in fundraising events for Homes For Our Troops, which provides injured or disabled service members and their families with housing at no cost.

In 2012, Arroyo won the team's Joe Nuxhall Good Guy Award for the fourth time, having previously won it in 2006, 2009 and 2011. Similar to the Roberto Clemente Award, the Good Guy Award recognizes a player who has been a positive influence for the Reds and the community.

The winner of this year's Roberto Clemente award will be revealed during the World Series. A selection committee that includes Commissioner Bud Selig will pick the recipient, and fans have the opportunity count for one of the deciding votes. Voting runs from Tuesday through Oct. 6 at chevybaseball.com as fans help decide which of those 30 club winners will receive this prestigious recognition.

Should Arroyo win, he would be the third Reds player to earn the honor. Most recently, Barry Larkin took home the award in 1993, nearly two decades after Pete Rose won it in 1976. The 2012 winner was Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw.

Jeremy Warnemuende is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.